Responding to Bias: Fight or Flight?

Denigration and defamation are likely to nullify any positive images of Jewish generosity, creativity and good works if the epithets and misinformation are left unchallenged.

The stunning power of headlines, photographs, daily newspaper reports and television footage to skew public sentiment has deeply shaken those concerned about Israel's fate. In all too many media outlets, jaw-dropping disregard of existential threats and lack of awareness of Israel's restraint in the face of terrorist bloodletting have prompted near-panicked efforts in some quarters to win public understanding.

The great debate underway is how best to counter media shortcomings and reach citizens of the world and government policymakers with a full, accurate picture of the Jewish state.

Numerous efforts seek to present the good face of Israel to audiences -- the normal face beyond the conflict. Look, say proponents of this approach, at how much Israel gives to mankind: medical advances, agricultural invention, high-tech brilliance. Look at the value added to world culture and comfort by the resourceful Israelis. All that has to be done, according to this thinking, is to change the paradigm; to separate Israel from its tainted association with the endless conflict involving the Arabs by injecting stories about Israeli innovation and good works into the news stream.

Such efforts may, indeed, engender positive feelings in some news consumers. Likewise, publicizing (as other endeavors have) the fact that Israel's Arab citizens, including Arab women, participate in its democracy can add in a constructive way to appreciation of the country's commitment to pluralism and tolerance.

But there are profound strategic flaws in any efforts to advance public understanding of Israel's circumstances that do not tackle and defeat false and damaging information about the Jewish state.

The notion that telling the world how clever and beneficent Israel is will garner public affection founders on the grim evidence of Jewish history. The Jews of Germany won 37% of the Nobel prizes for science and literature awarded to German citizens between 1905 and 1936, even though they were only 1% of the population. Needless to say, their accomplishments won few hearts or minds.

In late 19th and early 20th century Vienna, a time and place renowned for dazzling achievement in music, Jews were central. Composers Gustave Mahler and Arnold Schonberg were Jewish, as were many of Vienna's other composers, librettists, musicians, performers, patrons and audiences in a population where Jews were less than 10% of the population. But Austrians welcomed the Nazis, and soon constituted 40% of those engaged in Hitler's exterminations.

Distortions and lies about Israel triumph when they go unchallenged.

The lesson then and today is that denigration and defamation are likely to nullify any positive images of Jewish generosity, creativity and good works if the epithets and misinformation are left unchallenged.

When Chris Hedges, for instance, wrote in Harper's in the fall of 2001 that Israeli soldiers in Gaza "entice [Palestinian] children like mice into a trap and murder them for sport," the incendiary, baseless charge became a feature of anti-Israel comment. National Public Radio's Fresh Air promptly enlisted Hedges for an interview in which he spread the smear across the air waves.

Consider: would those who read or heard Hedges recite his false charges of child murder be persuaded to like the Jewish state on the basis of learning that it leads in nanotechnology?

When basic facts such as the terms of UN Security Council Resolution 242 are misreported to claim that Israel is required to cede the entire West Bank and Gaza, and is therefore violating core principles for settling the conflict, what are news consumers to think but that Israel is obstructing peace? When the terms of the so-called "road map" are continually misrepresented to cast Israel as a violator and the Palestinians as the aggrieved, what is the cumulative effect on readers?

When Hamas and Islamic Jihad are depicted as seeking an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza -- reasonable goals in the minds of many -- rather than working to extinguish Israel, Israeli measures in self-defense appear excessive.

All these are cases in which serious errors and distortions must be and have been extensively challenged. The end result has been to correct errors and halt their repetition in key media; or, where no correction has been forthcoming, to widely expose and debunk the misinformation.

Yes, there are lessons to be learned from the world of public relations, but they come from such instructive examples as the "war room" of former president Bill Clinton's election campaign. There, media coverage was monitored intensively, and every news account deemed incorrect, distorted or incomplete was swiftly challenged. The strategy worked so successfully that it was later applied to promoting president Clinton's policy initiatives.

No less an effort is necessary in defending the facts about Israel. Just as all that is required for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing, so too distortions and lies about Israel triumph when they go unchallenged. Those who argue that there is an easier way, a shortcut to making Israel's case, are simply ducking the essential task.

Visitor Comments: 10

nicely written articlereely emotionalmade me stop and think about all these tragidies

scincearly morris l

(9)
sonia,
January 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Strength from what we do not what they say!

It could be the distortions by enemies imprint themselves more easily when we Jews distance from doing what defines Judaism for us, by us! Through study of Torah we become part of our ongoing community as Jews! In attending synagogue, observing the Mitzvoth, and learning from our sacred and rich wellsprings of wisdom and counsel, absorb the words of our many sages. Visiting Israel, better yet, in making Alyia, I am convinced any despair over what others do to us will find no harbor in our mind. Our power is from our connection to who we are, what we do firstly as individuals! Concern whether non-Jews approve of us, love us will dissipate and the non-Jewish world will no longer have the power over us we all too easily give them! Our strength cannot be lessened through what others say - it can only grow through how we lead our lives and through what we do both as individuals and as a people! And to begin! Choose Life the Torah teaches! Take from our source and share that light with others! When we bring light into the world, the dark will dissipates! Illusion in the face of truth always does! And what makes strength to strength happen!

(8)
Anonymous,
January 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Anrea Levin's Comments

Me'ah Achuz! Proof of Goebbel's genius statement whch the Arab side has taken to heart and implemented successfully! If you tell a big enough lie often enough, it will come to be believed as truth!

(7)
Howard G,
January 2, 2006 12:00 AM

Jewish public relations

It is obvious that public relations are important, in presentation as well as substance. Yet many Jewish leaders seem not to grasp or ignore this obvious point.

You cannot tell Jews, contribute only to Jewish charities, help Israel, and speak out loudly against the canard that Jews only look after their own.

We need to fulfill tikkei olum through all the world and dispell stereotypes of miserliness and clanniness which have their origins in the words of the New Testament. It is important that Christians and Muslims see a positive image, though some Jews think that speaking out against anti-semitism is enough.

(6)
Anonymous,
December 4, 2005 12:00 AM

Israel public relatons

In my opinion it is up to the Israeli goverment to take a lead and get its act to gether and co-ordinate it world wide

(5)
Jose Nigrin,
August 14, 2005 12:00 AM

Intellectual Superiority

It is of no use, trying to show the world, jewish intellectual achievements, or how they were able to stablish a prosperous democratic country. The world sees the jews as scape goats, and you have to be a genius or a Noble prize winner, to be accepted as theirs. Publicity and adding to the world progress is not enough, if you dont bow down to their beliefs or religions, and convert.

(4)
Larry Weinberg,
July 11, 2005 12:00 AM

Andrea Levin is half right and half wrong

When Andrea Levin argues the case for aggressive monitoring of a media that too often gets it wrong or distorted, she is quite correct. But, if, as she seems to suggest, that these activities are either the only or the paramount efforts that need to be made in Israel's communications interests, then I think she is sadly wrong. The need for an aggressive, ongoing campaign to follow, critique and correct the media is a necessary and important weapon in the arsenal of the pro-Israel communications battle; the work of CAMERA is particularly praiseworthy. But that work is just one weapon Israel needs to wield successfully if she is to make progress in world opinion. As a proponent of what is called "The New Paradigm" (which is chided by Ms. Levin) I see Ms. Levij's work as a necessary part of an overall series of tacticts to be employed. The New Paradigm speaks of a new apportionment of effort between defensive tactics like CAMERA's work, and positive, pro-active tactics like our work at ISRAEL21c. We are not Pollyanna's who believe that we can overcome the powerful negative images and concepts in the media by showing Israel's positive side; rather we are realists and professionals who, like Ms. Levin, understand "The stunning power of headlines, photographs, daily newspaper reprts and television footage..." We are trying--and succeeding--in delivering positive images of Israel that way as well.

(3)
Anonymous,
July 10, 2005 12:00 AM

media bias

After 9/11 the western media went out of its way to avoid any hint of anti-arab bias in their coverage. Unfortunately, they've forgotten about objectivity and balance, and now portray Israelis as the villians in the Mid-East conflict.

But there is another problem--the unwillingness of media outlets to even mention anything positive about Jews or Judaism. I work for a small weekly and recently used a quote from Reb Nachman of Breslov (the world is a very narrow bridge, the main thing is not to be afraid at all). Long story short, the editor used the quote, deleted the source of the quote from my article.

(2)
Anonymous,
July 10, 2005 12:00 AM

Writing a petition.

Thank you for the summation. I am writing a petition to ask our goverment to change current anit-Israeli policies.
The lies go a long way back, to Mohammed supposedly taking a night ride from Jerusalem, when he never set foot in the city or mentions it in the Koran.
It became a "Holy Site" as a result of
a political manipulation. Yet thousand of years later we keep telling the same lie. Why can't the media report historical and current truth?

Thanks.

(1)
Debra Monasch,
July 10, 2005 12:00 AM

Yes And No

The advocacy groups that promote the contributions made by Israel to all the world are necessary and valuable. The paradigm shift alters the focus. When people learn, for example, how much Israeli technology and medical contributions touch their lives daily, they might see Israel in a different light.

Advocacy groups that focus solely on the conflict define Israel by the conflict and ignore Israel as a nation. Is Israel only a nation engaged in conflict? I think the answer is self evident. It's time for others to see the light.

The fault lies with the media that tell lies. Advocacy MUST promote the truth. All truths...the truth of Israel as a society that touches every life every day. The truth of Israel as a nation in conflict. Neither should be ignored and neither should take precedence over the other. We might not be able to change perception, we might not convice those who are predisposed to see Isral in a negative light, but we can change how the media reports the facts. THAT is our reponsibility.

If we are to be a light unto the nations, let us illuminate Israel in its entirety.

I live in rural Montana where the Cholov Yisrael milk is difficult to obtain and very expensive. So I drink regular milk. What is your view on this?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Jewish law requires that there be rabbinic supervision during the milking process to ensure that the milk comes from a kosher animal. In the United States, many people rely on the Department of Agriculture's regulations and controls as sufficiently stringent to fulfill the rabbinic requirement for supervision.

Most of the major Kashrut organizations in the United States rely on this as well. You will therefore find many kosher products in America certified with a 'D' next to the kosher symbol. Such products – unless otherwise specified on the label – are not Cholov Yisrael and are assumed kosher based on the DOA's guarantee.

There are many, however, do not rely on this, and will eat only dairy products that are designated as Cholov Yisrael (literally, "Jewish milk"). This is particularly true in large Jewish communities, where Cholov Yisrael is widely available.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein wrote that under limited conditions, such as an institution which consumes a lot of milk and Cholov Yisrael is generally unavailable or especially expensive, American milk is acceptable, as the government supervision is adequate to prevent non-kosher ingredients from being added.

It should be added that the above only applies to milk itself, which is marketed as pure cow's milk. All other dairy products, such as cheeses and butter, may contain non-kosher ingredients and always require kosher certification. In addition, Rabbi Feinstein's ruling applies only in the United States, where government regulations are considered reliable. In other parts of the world, including Europe, Cholov Yisrael is a requirement.

There are additional esoteric reasons for being stringent regarding Cholov Yisrael, and because of this it is generally advisable to consume only Cholov Yisroel dairy foods.

In 1889, 800 Jews arrived in Buenos Aires, marking the birth of the modern Jewish community in Argentina. These immigrants were fleeing poverty and pogroms in Russia, and moved to Argentina because of its open door policy of immigration. By 1920, more than 150,000 Jews were living in Argentina. Juan Peron's rise to power in 1946 was an ominous sign, as he was a Nazi sympathizer with fascist leanings. Peron halted Jewish immigration to Argentina, introduced mandatory Catholic religious instruction in public schools, and allowed Argentina to become a haven for fleeing Nazis. (In 1960, Israeli agents abducted Adolf Eichmann from a Buenos Aires suburb.) Today, Argentina has the largest Jewish community in Latin America with 250,000, though terror attacks have prompted many young people to emigrate. In 1992, the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 32 people. In 1994, the Jewish community headquarters in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 85 people. The perpetrators have never been apprehended.

Be aware of what situations and behaviors give you pleasure. When you feel excessively sad and cannot change your attitude, make a conscious effort to take some action that might alleviate your sadness.

If you anticipate feeling sad, prepare a list of things that might make you feel better. It could be talking to a specific enthusiastic individual, running, taking a walk in a quiet area, looking at pictures of family, listening to music, or reading inspiring words.

While our attitude is a major factor in sadness, lack of positive external situations and events play an important role in how we feel.

[If a criminal has been executed by hanging] his body may not remain suspended overnight ... because it is an insult to God (Deuteronomy 21:23).

Rashi explains that since man was created in the image of God, anything that disparages man is disparaging God as well.

Chilul Hashem, bringing disgrace to the Divine Name, is one of the greatest sins in the Torah. The opposite of chilul Hashem is kiddush Hashem, sanctifying the Divine Name. While this topic has several dimensions to it, there is a living kiddush Hashem which occurs when a Jew behaves in a manner that merits the respect and admiration of other people, who thereby respect the Torah of Israel.

What is chilul Hashem? One Talmudic author stated, "It is when I buy meat from the butcher and delay paying him" (Yoma 86a). To cause someone to say that a Torah scholar is anything less than scrupulous in meeting his obligations is to cause people to lose respect for the Torah.

Suppose someone offers us a business deal of questionable legality. Is the personal gain worth the possible dishonor that we bring not only upon ourselves, but on our nation? If our personal reputation is ours to handle in whatever way we please, shouldn't we handle the reputation of our nation and the God we represent with maximum care?

Jews have given so much, even their lives, for kiddush Hashem. Can we not forego a few dollars to avoid chilul Hashem?

Today I shall...

be scrupulous in all my transactions and relationships to avoid the possibility of bringing dishonor to my God and people.

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